Today’s Bible Reading
January 18

Old Testament 1
Genesis 24

[24:7 The LORD God of heaven, who took me from my father's house and from the land of my family, and who spoke to me and swore to me, saying, To your descendants I give this land, He will send His angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there.]

If you are looking for a spouse, trust God to help you and be strategic in your approach. The servant didn't go to where men are being circumcised. He went to a well at the evening time, the time women go to draw water. He also didn't go in the afternoon when no one was there.

[24:11 And he made his camels kneel down outside the city by a well of water at evening time, the time when women go out to draw water.

24:21 And the man, wondering at her, remained silent so as to know whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.]

This happens, when God answers our prayers. Sometimes we are surprised, usually because of how fast He answered or how precise he answered.

We should try not to doubt God's answer to our prayers. When you pray, believe God will answer, and when He does, thank Him.

[24:45 But before I had finished speaking in my heart, there was Rebekah, coming out with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down to the well and drew water. And I said to her, Please let me drink.]

You don't have to say a word for God to hear you, God listens to our heart cry.

[24:57 So they said, We will call the young woman and ask her personally

24:58 Then they called Rebekah and said to her, Will you go with this man? And she said, I will go]

Rebekah’s family didn't impose Isaac on her or just told her to follow the servant. They asked for her consent.

Noticed how they firstly said we can't go against God's will but they still asked for consent from Rebekah

[24:50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, the thing comes from the LORD; we cannot speak to you either bad or good.

24:51 here is Rebekah before you; take her and go, and let her be your master's son's wife, as the LORD has spoken]

Great parenting!


Old Testament 2
Job 29 & 30


Job knew all he had and all he was, was because God protection was on him. We should know we are nothing without God and He is our Everything.


New Testament
Matthew 13:1-23

Parable of the Sower

The seed is the word of God and where it falls is your attitude towards the word of God

13:18 Therefore hear the parable of the sower:

13:19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.

13:20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy;

13:21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.

13:22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.

13:23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty

The good land is the heart ready to hear and obey. The good land is a heart that has surrendered to Jesus.

God doesn't want us to just listen to His words. He wants us to be fruitful. He wants the effect of the word to show in our lives.

[13:10 And the disciples came and said to Him, Why do You speak to them in parables?]

The Disciples came to ask Jesus why He speaks in parable.

[13:11 He answered and said to them, Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given]

It is the power of God that gives understanding. Unbelievers lack this power that's why they don't understand spiritual things. The power of God is the power of Holy Spirit.


Action Point

Teach your children consent

Don’t just listen to God’s word. Live it!


Quote

No man is good enough to govern any woman without her consent.

Susan B. Anthony

Prayer Points

Thank God for His promises for you

Ask for mercy for times you acted without Him

Ask for mercy where you haven’t acknowledged Him as your Everything

God fill me with the Power of Holy Spirit

If you are looking for spouse, pray that God guides you in choosing the right spouse for you

For parents; Pray for God’s wisdom to parent your children better

Pray for God’s understanding

Pray that the word of God will be fruitful in your life


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